House, Senate Agree On LIP Total, Load Up Ed Budget
June 7, 2015
After months of federal negotiations and proposals floated by Gov. Rick Scott, the House and the Senate, lawmakers on Saturday reached tentative agreements on how much money should flow to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients.
Following advice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, lawmakers set aside $1 billion in and state and federal funding for the Low Income Pool, or LIP, program in the budget year that begins July 1. Separately, they put $400 million in state funding into an increase in reimbursements to hospitals — drawing down almost $610.9 million in federal money.
Other providers would also receive money from other parts of the budget. The goal, according to Sen. Rene Garcia, the Hialeah Republican who oversees his chamber’s health-care spending committee, is to get near to closing the gap between the new LIP plan and the $2.2 billion the program brought in during the current budget year.
“It’s roughly somewhere in that ballpark,” he said.
Legislative leaders announced Friday that they had reached an agreement on the rough outlines of a budget deal, but remained tight-lipped on specifics until joint House-Senate conference committees could start meeting on Saturday to hammer out the details.
Around the Capitol on Saturday, lawmakers swapped offers across the board, dealing with everything from environmental projects to road building and school funding. The negotiations were aimed at finishing a deal by the scheduled June 20 conclusion of a special session called after lawmakers failed to reach agreement during the regular session this spring.
On education, the lead House and Senate negotiators conceded that they are unlikely to reach Gov. Rick Scott’s goal of record funding for public schools on a per-student basis. While Scott’s goal of $7,176 a head was already a long shot, there was still a possibility that the Legislature could top the old high-water mark of $7,126 in the 2007-08 school year.
The latest Senate offer has $7,097 per student, which would still be an increase of $207 from the current budget year.
“Every single school district in the state of Florida is going to see an increase per student, a significant increase per student,” said Rep. Erik Fresen, the Miami Republican who chairs the House education financing committee.
Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who is Fresen’s counterpart, noted the contrast to other areas of the spending plan.
“It provides an increase at a time when a lot of people, particularly in the health-care world, are going to be taking a hit,” he said.
The Senate’s offer would also fold into a budget-related bill several pieces of education policy that died in the chaotic ending to the regular session.
The proposal would broaden eligibility for personal learning scholarship accounts, which help parents of students with disabilities pay for educational services; put new limits on four-year degrees offered by the Florida College System; and require Florida school districts to teach students about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“Most of those ideas are directly tied to the budget,” Fresen said.
The bill that the provisions would be attached to expires after the budget year ends, but both Gaetz and Fresen said lawmakers would consider making those changes permanent next session.
Lawmakers are slated to continue negotiations on Sunday.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Vacation Bible Schools Scheduled At Many Churches
June 7, 2015
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for many area children. Here is a list of upcoming VBS events in the North Escambia area. To add a VBS to this list, email news@northescambia.com.
First Baptist Church of Bratt VBS
First Baptist Church of Bratt Vacation Bible School will be , June 8-12 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. each day.
Ray’s Chapel VBS
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold their VBS “Camp Kilimanjaro”, June 8-12 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. The church is located at 140 W Bogia Road in McDavid. Everyone is welcome for fun, food and games.
First Baptist Cantonment VBS
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold VBS from June 8-June 12. To register or for information, call (850) 968-9135.
Atmore First Assembly VBS
First Assembly of God in Atmore will hold Vacation Bible Shool for children ages 3 through the 6th grade June 8-12 from 8 until 11:30 a.m.
Atmore United Methodist VBS
Atmore First United Methodist Church will hold “Everest” Vacation Bible School for children K-5 through 6th grade June 7-11 from 6- p.m. Everyone welcome.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church VBS
Everest VBS 2015 will be 5 to 8:30 pm, June 14-18, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 7979 North 9th Avenue, in Pensacola, for all children from 3-years to 5th grade. Brown bag dinner is included. (850) 477-8596.
Popular Dell VBS
Poplar Dell Baptist Church will hold their Vacation Bible School for ages nursery-6th grade, June 15-19 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The final night will be family night complete with outside water slides, supper and other fun activities. The theme this year is “Journey Off the Map.” Visitors are welcome! The church is located at 2631 Highway 4A in Century. Contact Louise Gandy at (850) 256-0690.
Heritage Baptist Church VBS Cantonment
Heritage Baptist Church at 3065 Hwy 297A in Cantonment will have VBS June 15-19, 6-8:45 p.m. with the “Everest” theme.
Bush Street VBS
The Bush Street Church at 2328 Bush Street in Pensacola will hold a “Jungle Safari” Vacation Bible School June 18-19 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. and June 20th from 10 am.. until noon, followed by the cookout.
Highland Baptist VBS
Highland Baptist Church will hold VBS June 22 – 26 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. for children ages three years old through completion of fifth grade. Family night will be June 28. Everyone is welcome.
New Bethal Jay VBS
New Bethel Baptish Church will hold their VBS “Fun Run 2015″, June 22 – 26 from 5 – 8 p.m. The church is located at 10995 Chumuckla Highway in Jay. Everyone is welcome.
Walnut Hill Baptist VBS
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold “Journey Off the Map” Vacation Bible School June 22-26 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Faith Bible Baptist Century VBS
Faith Bible Baptist Church “Camp Courageous: Equipping For Life” VBS will take place July 13-17 from 6 until 8:30 p.m. for ages 5-12. The church is located at 5801 N.Century Blvd. For more information or transportation call (850) 256-5483.
Trinity Lutheran Cantonment VBS
Camp Discovery, VBS 2015, will be 9-noon daily, July 13-17, at Trinity Lutheran Church at 2385 Highway 297A in Cantonment. For more, visit www.trinity-lutheranchurch.org or call (850) 968-0078.
Aldersgate Molino VBS
Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will host Camp E.D.G.E. Vacation Bible School July 20-24 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. daily for all children from 3-years to rising 5th graders. For more info, call (850) 587-2489, (850) 587-3571 or the church office at (850) 587-5294.
Escambia Man Charged With Midday Tom Thumb Robbery
June 7, 2015
An Escambia County man has been charged with robbing a Tom Thumb midday Saturday.
Antonio Collins, 32 was arrested around 5:30 p.m. Saturday after he turned himself in at police headquarters. Pensacola Police Detective Cliff Lyster said Collins was charged with robbery.
The incident occurred around Saturday at the Tom Thumb, 1290 Airport Blvd. A 29-year-old female cashier told Officer Hank Wells she was waiting on a customer when the Collins went behind the counter, got behind her and threatened to hurt her if she didn’t give him money. The clerk opened the register and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving the business toward the Sam’s Club parking lot.
Collins managed to convince a man in the Sam’s Club parking lot to give him a ride after he said his sister had left him there. But as they were leaving, the man noticed police vehicles arriving in the area and began thinking something was wrong.
The man dropped the suspect off in the area of Airport and Pensacola boulevards and returned to the convenience store where he reported what happened to police.
Queens Of The NHS Gym Named
June 7, 2015
During National Physical Education and Sports week last month at Northview High School, a competition was held among girls in the weightlifting and conditioning classes for the title of “Queens of the Gym”.
The girls teamed up and participated in variety activities that tested their endurance, speed, agility, strength, and overall athletic ability.
The following teams were winners in the competitions:
- Most Push Ups in a minute- Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson
- Most Sit-ups in a minute- Andrea Miles and Mrs. Nall
- Farthest Toss -Shnala Banks and Dimionque Brown
- Farthest Jump – Shnala Banks and Dimionque Brown
- Fastest Mile – Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson
- Strongest Team in bench press- Tied- Ashlynn McCall & Destiny Mathis, and Madison McGhee and Angel Lathan
- Fastest Obstacle Time- Jadlyn Agerton and Peighton Dortch
Overall Team for Northview’s Queens of the Gym 2015
- 3rd Runner up- Kayla Galvan and Tori Smith
- 2nd Runner up -Madison McGhee and Angel Lathan
- Queens for 2015- Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson
Pictured top: Morgan Ward and Hannah Gibson, Queens of the Gym, at Northview High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Killed On Davis Highway
June 7, 2015
A pedestrian was killed Saturday morning in Escambia County as they attempted to cross Davis Highway near Blackwell Lane.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 37-year old Cristi Hayes was traveling northbound on Davis Highway about 12:43 a.m. when 43-year old pedestrian Darren Deffley walked into the path of her 1999 Ford Windstar.
Deffley was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Hayes received minor injuries.
No charges were filed in the crash.
Wahoo’s Winker Continues Hot Hitting In Loss
June 7, 2015
Southern League pitchers may want to take note, Jesse Winker is getting used to your stuff.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos outfielder tripled for the team’s only hit and scored the only run in a, 5-1, series opening loss to the Jacksonville Suns Saturday. The game was the 115th sellout at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium since the ballpark opened in April 2012.
Winker is now batting .400 on 8-20 hitting in his last six games with two runs a triple and three RBIs. Winker, who won the Arizona Fall League batting crown this fall, has seen his average rise to .249 on the season.
Winker, the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 2 prospect, lined a triple into the right field corner against reliever Craig Stem to lead off the seventh inning. He then scored on a deep fly ball to left field by first baseman Kyle Waldrop to cut Jacksonville’s lead, 3-1.
“Jess is back to his old form,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “That’s the Winker I know. He’s a very natural hitter. He can’t have too many swing thoughts. He’s a guy you don’t talk mechanics to. He sees the ball and hits it.”
Kelly said Winker started coming around in the last series against the rival Mobile BayBears. Winker said he’s just trying to be a “tough out.”
“You have to be a tough out,” said Winker, who was chosen in the first round three years ago. “You have to learn to fight even if things are not going your way. Sometimes you’re wishing, ‘Dang, I wish I hit it five feet to the left or right.’”
Meanwhile, Jacksonville left-hander Matt Tomshaw no-hit Pensacola through six innings, allowing just four Blue Wahoos runners to reach base. Tomshaw, who is making his Double-A debut this season, has now started four games for Jacksonville and given up four runs in 21 innings for a 1.71 ERA.
The 26-year-old Tomshaw was getting his fourth spot start this year in place of Kendry Flores, who was recalled to the parent club Miami Marlins earlier this week. Flores made his debut Saturday for Miami and allowed three hits and a walk in 0.2 innings but didn’t allow any runs.
Tomshaw, drafted in the 42nd round out of Jacksonville University by the Minnesota Twins in 2011, said his last no-hitter came in a seven inning game in his sophomore year in high school.
“I was able to work off my fastball—show it in and then throw my sinker away,” said Tomshaw, who improved to 2-4. “That led to a lot of ground balls. Our defense was outstanding.”
Jacksonville finally opened up the game on Peralta in the fifth inning. He had pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth, allowing one run. But in the fifth catcher Chadd Krist earned a walk and scored on a single by center fielder Kenny Wilson to go ahead, 2-0. Wilson then scored when right fielder Carlos Lopez hit a hard grounder back through the box to centerfield for a 3-0 lead.
Jacksonville added two more insurance runs in the ninth on a solo home run that left fielder Matt Juengel crushed over the left field wall for his ninth of the season. It then went ahead, 5-1, on a score by Terrance Dayleg on a Wilson single.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Cantonment Barn
June 6, 2015
An early morning fire destroyed a barn or storage building in Cantonment.
The fire was reported about 1:45 a.m. Saturday in the 2600 block of Sandicrest Drive, just off Highway 297A. The structure had already burned to the ground when the first firefighters arrived on scene a few moments later.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the blaze was not known.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Authorities Warn Of Police Impersonator
June 6, 2015
Area law enforcement is on high alert after reports of an alleged police impersonator in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department said Friday that they’ve received reports of a person driving a white Ford Crown Victoria in the Atmore area that has already initiated a traffic stop on one vehicle and has driven through city with emergency lights activated. Police say they don’t know who the suspected police impersonator may be.
The vehicle is described as having a red light bar and blue interior lights. The vehicle has no tag and the only markings are a small circular sticker on the back window. The driver was described as a white male with blond hair, possibly in his 20’s. He may be wearing a blue uniform with a sewn-on badge. He was not wearing a traditional police-type “duty belt”.
The vehicle was last seen Thursday entering Atmore with lights activated on Highway 31 and turning onto Presley Street.
Atmore Police advises drivers that if a traffic stop is initiated in their city and their are no identifying markings on the patrol vehicle, call 911 or their department at (251) 368-9141. The operator will verify that the traffic stop is legitimate.
Anyone with information on the vehicle or driver is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141 or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured: This photo supplied by the Atmore Police Department shows the vehicle being used by an alleged police impersonator.
Four Florida License Free Fishing Dates In June
June 6, 2015
There are four license-free fishing day in Florida for residents and visitors. They are:
Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, saltwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived.
Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, freshwater recreational fishing license requirement will be waived.
Governor Scott said, “This summer, we’re excited to make it easier for families to enjoy the world class fishing our state has to offer. Florida is the fishing capital of the world and one of the many reasons we welcomed a record 98.9 million visitors to the Sunshine State last year. I look forward to fishing with my grandsons this summer, and I hope everyone takes advantage of license-free fishing this month.”
The four days in June are a part of the eight total license-free fishing days the FWC offers each year. All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions apply on these dates.
Teachers Learn From Project Learning Tree
June 6, 2015
Numerous Escambia and Santa Rosa county educators spent their Friday learning about Project Learning Tree at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for formal and non-formal educators working with students in pre-kindergarten through high school. PLT uses trees and forests as the context to help young people gain an awareness and knowledge of natural and built environments. PLT stimulates students’ critical and creative thinking, develops students’ ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues and instills a commitment of responsible action on behalf of the environment.
PLT can be used in both rural and urban environments, whether there is a forest or a single tree and teaches students how to think, not what to think about our complex environment.
The event was sponsored by the Florida Forest Service, Santa Rosa UF/IFAS Extension, Escambia County Roy Hyatt Environmental Center and the Project Learning Tree Steering Committee.
Educators that took part in the event received a free activity guide and had a chance to learn about the program with hands-on activities.
Pictured top: Educators take part in a Project Learning Tree food web activity Friday at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment. Pictured below: Florida Forest Service Supervisor Craig Iverson explains a portion of the program. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
